Become an Auckland Rugby Member
It is a new year but little has changed for Ponsonby who once again reasserted themselves as the team to beat in 2010 after thrashing Suburbs 50-0 in the opening round of the Waka Nathan Challenge Cup at Bell Park on Saturday.
Still boasting the nucleus of last year's Gallaher Shield winning team including captain Mark Hooper, Leo Taliu, Pom Simona and Brett Williams, Ponies raced out to a 38-0 half time lead before cruising in the second half to put away Suburbs 50-0.
Last year's leading try scorer Chay Raui wasted no time getting in on the action and bagged a hat-trick of tries within the opening stanza after linking up nicely with winger Tevita Hufanga, while fellow winger Niko Ratumaitavuki also looked sharp and scored a brilliant try to open the scoring for Ponsonby.
In other matches, a new-look Pakuranga outfit showed plenty of improvement from last year but was unable to account for the power of Otahuhu's forward pack as the south Aucklanders rumbled to a 38-15 win over their hosts.
Manukau Rovers scored a surprise 26-22 victory over University, Eden defeated Waitakere and Auckland halfback Taniela Moa inspired Te Papapa-Mt Wellington to a 50-15 win over Teachers Eastern.
Results:
Ponsonby 50 Suburbs 0 Waitemata 32 College Rifles 12 Te Papapa-Mt Wellington 50 Teachers Eastern 15 Eden 21 Waitakere City 12 Otahuhu 38 Pakuranga 15 Marist 15 Papatoetoe 3 Manukau 26 University 22 Grammar Carlton 24 East Tamaki 10
Draws for March 13 - venues and kick-off times to be confirmed on Monday
Waka Nathan Challenge Cup Ponsonby v Te Papapa-Mt Wellington Grammar Carlton v Waitemata Otahuhu v Marist Eden v Manukau Pollard Cup Teachers Eastern v Suburbs College Rifles v East Tamaki Pakuranga v Papatoetoe Waitakere City v University
